Australia

Let's face it...that long haul flight is certainly worth it.

Not only that, any Australian will gladly tell you that there is so much more to see and do than what you just see in the brochure!

That's why it's so important to get your travel plans sorted out properly - whether it's Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, or even the Great Barrier Reef - Australia has it all!

Title : Ashes 2005: The Full Story of the Test Series
Author : Gideon Haigh
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Surprisingly Good

My heart sank as I read the introduction to this book for it is simply a collection of Gideon Haigh's match reports and articles from the Guardian, Cricinfo Wisden Cricketer. In order to meet the publication deadline they are essentially untouched.

This gives the book some structural problems, for example for each test there is an overall match report before the day by day summaries and because the reports are drawn from a number of different sources there is some repetition and some odd digressions. Furthermore, given the rush to publish, there are, inevitably, mistakes: most egregiously, the upsetting assertion that Australia won the second test by two runs.

It is a tribute to Haigh's qualities as a writer and journalist and the intrinsic appeal of the Ashes contest of 2005 that despite these problems this is actually a good book. Haigh writes well and is a knowledgeable cricket pundit; the book is full of interesting observations and funny moments. I suspect that in order to appreciate the book, the reader needs to be quite well versed in the nuances of cricket and have an appreciation of cricket history; this is a book for the genuine cricket fan, not someone with a passing interest.

The book does contain a quote from Haigh that, for me, sums up the series: 'It wasn't long before the Ashes of 2005 had become the best Ashes in recent memory; a little longer and it was one of the best in history; by its conclusion it was a Test match classic that will be talked about for as long as I live, which can be guaranteed, because I will be doing the talking if no one else cares to.' Haigh does not need to worry, there are many others, including me, who will be talking about it as well.

Title : Rough Guide Map Australia (Rough Guide Map S.)
Author : Rough Guides
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Where would I be without this book?

this book was easy to use, very useful when I was travelling on my gap year and the reason that I managed to make it safely round oz. it guided me to some of the best places to stay and warned me off a few that I tried anyway and then realised the wisdom in their words after I had made my mistake. Buy this book if you are travelling oz, heed its words, take its advice but also don't be afraid to do a little experimenting of your own as I found many a gem of place to stay/ eat and see that were not included in the book - but then you cant expect them to know everything, it is only a rough guide but a very nice one to have by your side when you feel like you are on the other side of the world, it lends a big helping hand in making your travels that bit simpler. Buy.

Title : Rough Guide Map Australia (Rough Guide Map S.)
Author : Rough Guides
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : an exceptional read

this book gives all the details anybody would need who is traveling to australia plenty of advice to everywhere worth visiting. the book apeals more to the indpendant traveller rather than families.it has advice on where to stay eat and party it is an essential guide if you are travelling to oz i give this book a big thumbs up.

Title : Xenophobe's Guide to Kiwis (Xenophobe's Guide S.)
Author : Christine Cole Catley
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Funny and informative!

If you're thinking about going to New Zealand anytime soon, I would highly recommend reading this book first! It's hilarious, short and dead-on. In less than 100 pages, you'll get a very thorough introduction to the culture and people of New Zealand which will make your visit all the more amusing as you discover the stuff you've just read about to be perfectly true.

Title : Down Under
Author : Bill Bryson
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Slight criticism of a superb book.

I recently spent almost 5 weeks in Oz and was handed this book by my son on arrival. Its a perfect book to read of relaxation ( and a little education) either whilst travelling or on return from Oz. His writing is so enjoyable and so apt. My only criticism is that there are some places he should have given more time to, although he did this in his book about Great Britain, as soom places are far more fun than he seemed to appreciate. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Title : Sydney (Lonely Planet City Map S.)
Author :
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Sydney - Lonely Planet City Map

This map is a must if you're trying to negate your way around Sydney. We started of with this map at the beginning, lost it in the middle and were extremely grateful to find it again towards the end of our trip. The maps that you are given in hotels or buy in shops over there are for some reason useless! They only highlight the larger roads which aren't too bad if you're driving around, but on foot is pain when you have to retrace your blunder in the heat. As in any city that is new to you, the one way streets are difficult to tackle. This map illustrates all they one way streets clearly, has the City Rail and ferry map, and is plastic coated and light enough to fold into your bag.

Title : The Fatal Shore: History of the Transportation of Convicts to Australia, 1787-1868 (Harvill Panther S.)
Author : Robert Hughes
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A History of British Brutality

Robert Hughes "The Fatal Shore" is a compelling, readable, and meticuously documented account of the settlement of Australia. More than that, it provides within that harrowing story a picture of 18th and 19th Century penal attitudes the biases and prejudices of which can still,too often, be recognised in contemporary penal practice. In particular, the story of Alexander Moconochie's reforms on Norfolk Island, and their rejection, is a tale of overwhelming tragedy.
This cruel and bitter saga is yet another illustration of a recurring theme in British history, of how the protection of the wealth and property of a few has always had priority over the common good. The multiplication of capital offences under George 111, and his brutal penal regime, did little to deter the poverty stricken agricultural and industrial labourers of that era. The greatest fear of the industrial capitalists and the wealthy landowners was a revolution of the dispossessed, and to transport this threat to the other side of the globe, and so eliminate it, was the safest way to secure the status quo. Although Hughes does not labour this point he does vividly show how the demonisation of a class, and the extreme brutality that accompanied it, led to a penal system that lasted for more than half a century. For convicts to resist the thuggery of the State was futile, but to resist, and so suffer more brutality, was, ironically,the only way to retain the last flickering of humanity and personal integrity.
The book is a timely reminder that the core values that have shaped British history have changed little, and demonisation is still used to protect and sustain political and corporate interests.
A stimulating, readable, and masterly account of the British Gulag and of those who suffered in the grip of its iron fist. Highly recommended.

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